Jan 21, 2021 | Articles
I am writing on behalf of the Alaska Salmon Alliance (ASA) to request you join our effort to keep the historic salmon drift gill net fishery open in Cook Inlet. As hard as it might be to believe, the State of Alaska has recently submitted a proposal to do just that- close the historic salmon fishery in Cook Inlet in order to avoid following mandated best practices for managing salmon fisheries. This letter is to provide background on the issue and request your support to keep the historic salmon fishery healthy for the benefit of our local industry and our communities.
Jan 21, 2021 | Articles
The UCIDA office team, Board members, retired ADFG staff, UCIDA and CIFF members and many other volunteers have been working hard over the past 4 years to convince the North Pacific Fisheries Management Council (NPFMC or Council) to carry out the instructions from the Ninth Circuit Court to develop a Fishery Management Plan (FMP) for the Cook Inlet salmon fishery “throughout its range.” The Ninth Circuit Court order was clear that the Council and NMFS must produce an FMP for the entire fishery in Cook Inlet. In the Magnuson-Stevens Act, “fishery” is defined as:
Dec 23, 2020 | Articles
The Young Fisherman’s Act made its way through Congress over the weekend. The legislation’s aim is to create a national grant program that supports training, education, and workforce development in the commercial fishing industry.
Dec 9, 2020 | Articles
Following the announcement that the North Pacific Fisheries Management Council (NPFMC) has decided to close all Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) waters to commercial fishing in the Cook Inlet, U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) issued the following statement:
“I am disappointed by the North Pacific Fisheries Management Council’s decision to close federal waters in Cook Inlet to commercial fishing, but I am also very concerned about the prospect of federal management over resources that have been, and should be, managed by the State of Alaska.
Nov 30, 2020 | Articles
Cook Inlet salmon management is tough enough, with several user groups lobbying for a bigger piece of the annual pie, but added to the challenge is its location. Cook Inlet is at the center of the state’s largest population density and, unlike other salmon areas in Alaska, accessible by road for more than 60% of Alaska’s population. The area has been ground zero for the ‘recreational vs commercial’ battle for generations.
